INDIAN AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 19

INDIAN AFFAIRS

THE GORAKHPUR MURDERS. DELHI, January 22. Extremist meetings everywhere are passing resolutions expressing abhorrent indignation at the sentencing to death of 172 Chauri-Chaura (North-west Provinces) rioters. Extremists say that it was only a thoughtless and indiscreet action, and it is certainly admitted in press comments that the sentences are heavy, in view of the escape of the instigating leaders. It is probable that the Yiceroy will exercise his clemency prerogative in certain cases. Meanwhile all the condemned men have appealed. The Transvaal British Indian Association has cabled to the Viceroy pointing out that the sentences of death, if carried out, would be regarded as pure terrorism by the whole of the civilised world, and saying that tile tragedy was insignificant compared with the Rand revolution, where 80,000 people were arrested and only four executed. There were also 12,0C0 casualties in the Rand, and only 18 deaths at Chauri-Chaura. [A Delhi cable of January 10 stated: The final judgment in the Chauri-Chaura case, in which policemen were murdered by Extremists near Gorakhpur, has now been issued. One hundred and seventytwo of the accused were found guilty of murder, arson, and dacoity, and were sentenced to death. Forty-seven were acquitted.] EQUALITY OF CITIZENSHIP. DELHI, January 22. The secretary of the Indian Congress at Nairobi wired to Delhi that a confidential despatch on Indian po’icy had arrived there to the effect that a handful of Europeans and the European press were condemning Major Ormsby-Gore (Undersecretary for the Colonies) and threatening the Indians with violence and bloodshed if the policy of equality is enforced, whereas the majority of Europeans are not opposed to granting equal rights to Indians. It is rumoured that the Governor has tendered his resignation conditionally, which may force the Duke of Devonshire (Colonial Secretary) to tone down his po'icy of equality which was contained in a resolution of the Imperial Conference. The cable continues that the Kenya Indians are determined on equality of status, no matter at what cost, and they submit that immediate intervention by India is imperative. AGITATION IN KENYA. DELHI, January 24. The Aga Khan has telegraphed to the Viceroy inviting his attention to the extreme gravity of the Kenya Colony situation, and expressing apprehension at the intense excitement and exasperation caused among all classes of Indians by the Kenya Europeans' threats. He earnestly requests the Viceroy’s intervention to prevent counter resistance, which would have a disastrous effect on the political situation in India and on the Indian mind. This has produced striking press comments, combating the prevalent idea in India that any agitation, if sufficiently vociferous, must necessarily lead to yielding bv the authorities. The press points out that such tactics do not apply in colonies which have been settled and ad ministered bv Europeans, and that Indian* overseas must work in accordance with the constitution of the country they are in, and must not expect Simla, or Whitehall to court unpopularity by attempting to force unwelcome measures upon the colonial communities. KENYA AGITATION GROWING. NAIROBI, January 24. The anti-Indian agitation is increasing. Meetings of Europeans in the country districts adopted resolutions pledging their utmost resistance to any grant of the political claims of the Indians. A Central Committee is being organised at Nairobi, with district leaders, with a view to taking concerted extreme action if necessary. FRONTIER TROUBLES. DELHI, January 23. A heavy bombing aeroplane, which was carrying out operations in the enemy country on the frontier, effected a forced landing; consequently a flight officer and a mechanic are in the hands of the Abdullah Mahsuds. They are being well treated. January 25. The cost of the Wa 7. iris tan operations from April of last year to October was 109 lakhs of rupees. Our casualties since the end of April last year were 63 military and J 4 civilians killed. Fifty-seven of the enemy were killed. Our air operations continue. [A lakh is 100.0C0.] MAHSUDS ASKING FOR TERMS. DELHT, January 26. During air operations a Bristol fighter with two officers crashed. Both occupants were apparently unhurt, and were seen making their way north. The machine was observed to be in flames, and was probablv set afire by the officers. It subsequently blew up. The Abdullah Mahsuds have’ released the recently-captured airmen, who have reached Ladha Jalalkhel. The Mahsuds have sent representatives to Sararogha, asking for terms. INDIAN ARMY. DELHI, January 26. In the Council of State Lord Rawlinson (Commander-in-chief of the army in India) made a striking speech in answering the Indian resolution that the recruitment of British officers for the Indian Army should be stopped immediately, and that only Indians should be commissioned to

fill the vacancies. Lord Rawlinson pointed out that it would be a fatal policy until they had experimented in a lesser degree. It was essential that officers should be trained and educated to develop the qualities of fitness to command. It was impossible to make Indians efficient officers in large numbers simply by passing a political resolution. [The resolution referred to recommended a stoppage of the recruitment of British soldiers for the army in India by one-third, and also urged the Indianisation of the army in the course of 15 years by the gradual elimination of the British forces and their replacement by Indians.] LABOUR CONDITIONS IN CALCUTTA. DELHI. January 26. Dr Sherwood Eddy, an American, who is touring the world, has been investigating industrial conditions in Calcutta. 11l a speech he stated that Indian labour conditions had greatly improved during the last three years. They were not ideal, but they were vastly better than they were in China, and in many respects better than in Japan. ANOTHER TRAIN DISASTER, DELHI, January 27. Another train disaster ha* occurred in Ceylon as the outcome of floods. Fifteen persons were killed and 24 were injured, 12 seriously. The details are meagre, but it is understood that no Europeans were killed.